Practical Prepping Protocol even if Poor

Mom had one and she got herself ran over by it. It was icey and she was warming it up and it started sliding down the hill. She thought she could stop it in her slippy leather sole boots.

When she got better she used a plastic step stool to get in and out. The stool was attached to the seatbelt by a rope and she would pull it up into the car one she was in. Then drop it down when time to get out.

Thanks for the concern Pooka. I just got lots of smoke this time and a weekend without power. The local VFD kept the fires under 10 acres close to me. The mysters and sprinklers worked great. My clothes still smell like smoked Gouda. I had a bunch of friends in the fire zone in Estacada but the fire skipped their houses.

I can say that is one I have never heard before, but very descriptive!

Thank you very much for this, Gemini Rising. I did not see it originally and am grateful to read it now. Pinned it for others who might not have seen it, as well.

Imagine getting right down to no food left, and having to turn to the long-term storage foods on which you'd spent so much money and faith, only to find they have all spoiled and instead of enough food for a week or a month or however long you'd planned for, you have nothing at all, and would be made ill if eating that.

I have a very few cans of Auguson Farms, and the rest is not commercial long-term storage. I found it expensive, and many companies are not honest about caloric content, which is crucial. Also, our gubmint puts a lot of effort into gaining the names and addresses of people who purchased this type of food, especially in quantity, but not if you bought a bag of beans somewhere and a quantity of oatmeal here and there.

Thank you again, GeminiRising, for referring us to a very important thread.

Your poor mom! Was she injured? That's one heavy beast! [Didn't mean your mom]

I used a stool like that for getting in and out of my van until getting a better arrangement that was permanently attached, but after a time even that wouldn't work.

We are thankful that you did not suffer more than worry and smoke in the fires. Love the Gouda reference! My grandfather was a federal meat inspector many years ago and I loved when he had been to the "smokehouse" part of the system as the odor in his clothing was heavenly.

Odd how some very appealing odors turn out later to be very bad for us, such as smoke. As a child I used to love the odor of gas being pumped into the car, too. Nobody knew, at that time.

Glad you escaped, when so many did not, and your friends, as well.

Last Edited by Pooka on 09/20/2020 03:32 PM

I don't think you can pack it down solidly enough with the opening only the size of a wide-mouth canning jar. Pick something with a wider mouth like an ice-cream bucket or something. Make enough for the winter, which like would come closer to two or three jars

Thank you, MC

I remember walking through the parking lots as a kid in So Cal. The shimmering haze of petroleum wafting from hundreds of carburetors, the oil slicks in every parking spot. Summer days were thick with the smell of refined fossil fuels.

I can say the emission controls on modern vehicles have reduced this x100. Except those damned 'CARB-Approved' gas cans that slop, gurgle and drip more fuel than any old Jerry can did.

And I do admit, the smell of the duplicating fluid from the mimeograph machines in grade school was intoxicating. Who remembers that iconic scene from 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High'? That was a daily occurence in my classes.

Somehow, we survived.

Everybody disappeared? Pooka?

only gets worse from here on!!!

Keep informed and aware of your surroundings!!!
Stay Safe!

I recently began making my own MREs. I got a Dollar Tree tool box and made sure all the things I put in were dated, or if the larger package was best by dated, I wrote the BB date on the containers I used. There are so many more shelf stable foods than ever before that can be used. The date I put on my MRE BB date is the soonest of all the items. That way, I try to use it before something goes out of date.

I took those items and put them in a Dollar Tree Tool box with my own "accessory pack" and since Dollar Tree has can openers for a buck, I threw one into each one that had a can that needed one. Some of them didn't need a can opener. It comes back home with the tool box.

So I have the person's name (nobody likes the same stuff) on the outside and the menu options, and I found I could make a 24 hour MRE. Best by date (as mentioned) goes on the outside too.

They stack neatly. Easy to see name and dates and can be used for quick bug out, camping or for long trips. I carry several heating options in the car as well.

These are great for camping.

Now I have a huge stash of can openers. LOL This works for me.

Next spring, hopefully not too late, we're going to work on the cabin adding an addition, septic, insulation. Hopefully not too late.

Tip: Order some ceramic Doulton candlestick water filters, get 2 Tractor Supply food grade buckets. Put filter in top bucket, will do about 5 gallons a day. Pick up a spigot for the bottom bucket. Been filtering my water like this for 10+ years. I have a filter sock on mine. Crappy ass city water. I'm getting 2 years out of each filter.

[link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

At this point, I've laid in 3 months worth of Lipton Rice sides and vacuum sealed them along with dehydrated potatoes. Stocking up on canned veggies and we're keeping a 60 day supply of meats in the freezer. I get another weeks worth every week. Cheap and easy to make.

Regular rice is great too.

I think I'm going to buy some more 5 gallon gas cans for the generator too. We've had a total of 3 weeks without power this summer. That inverter generator I bought is saving the day - 17 hours on 1.5 gallons of gas!

Last Edited by Billxam, MAGA+, ABATE, AWHA on 09/24/2020 06:51 PM

I have a Tahoe from that era that I can't kill.

And you can still work on them, not too much computer junk.

Make sure to change the trans/differential/transfer case fluid! Almost no owners do it!

I'm here on occasion...but since I can't sign on...I've been other places.

- MC

My small farm is in a small city, and I rely on a 400 foot deep well for water.

Was thinking of buying a solar emergency pump if we lost electric power for a long spell.

Called the well company. They have WONDERFUL service.

The expert told me, "There's no solar system sold that will pump that well. You need a backup generator of at least 7000 watts".

Checked, and my generators were all too small.

Ordered this one yesterday:

[link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

Something odd happened. When I bought it last night, it cost $832.50

NOW, they want $1899.00 for the same unit.

I guess I found a bird nest on the ground as my cowboy father would say.

I am going to buy a propane tank of at least 250 gallons. Propane does not go bad like gas or diesel.

BTW, as I have said before on this thread, I save so much money with my low cost lifestyle that I can afford to pay cash for important things.

Dinner tonight was roast chicken from a bird that no longer was laying, some shredded cabbage, and a couple of pupusas that The Queen fixed for me.

For those who don't know, a pupusa is like a fat tortilla made with corn flour that has cheese, meat, or other stuff inside. Its like the national food of El Salvador.

I can use propane for cooking, heating, etc. as well.

Bought four boxes this week. Had to send my helper in to Walmart as I have not been walking well, and we were both grateful you told us exactly where to find it! Thanks again!

LOL Yes we did, though who knows what we are reaping today we planted back then.

Long as I am alive and even one person still has an interest here, I will be here. I have less free time now that I have a helper again. Busy supervising him and interacting, three days a week or more. Their baby will be born any time now and after that event I expect to see less of him and likely more of this place.

This is a great organization on your part! However, I don't get for whom you made these, and for what occasion. Great to have lots can openers, but how do you know they and the boxes will come back to you?

Cannot imagine who the people are you are making these for, and for which occasions.

I'd never heard of Doulton water filters prior to reading this post. They don't seem to filter the things we need to worry about - at least not from what I have read. Apparently these filter out contaminants that affect taste, but not those which cause diseases. I would not trust one of these, not until and unless presented with evidence that they will filter all the undesirable things which will make us ill, or worse.

Can you tell us more? Thank you.

Lipton Rice sides are a good price, undoubtedly, but I've been told they do not remain good for very long. What's the longest you've had experience with?

Yes, found you in that other place. :0 Just cannot take on posting on another forum cuz I hardly keep up with this one!

I have a cat litter box in my car with a two week supply of food based on Fairlamb's Nuclear Survival Manual. It started off with a rummage sale can opener but I upgraded to a Swing-A-Way as soon as I could. That brand is the only one that doesn't use plastic spacers for the gears and knife. I've had other brands and once that plastic spacer breaks, it is unusable. And the spacer will break at the worst time.

archive dot org/details/nuclearsurvivalm00fairrich

Edit: corrected book title and added link to it.
Edit two: Okay, so GLP nopes that source. Copy, paste and remove spaces. Correct dot to .

Last Edited by Lowkey Cyberpunk on 09/25/2020 10:56 AM

I read somewhere recently about Amazon prices going up as people purchase the item. I put something in my cart the other night in the twenty-dollar range and next time I looked the price had gone up by five dollars, which is a lot on that price range. I had not even bought it yet!

A pupusa sounds delicious!!!

You have a wonderful life and wonderful wife and I am so glad for you! You have done and continue to do for yourself wonderfully! Love paying cash for things - that's how I do it, too

The very best prep...And many seem adverse to it, suffering from ego issues etc., is knowning your neighbours, informing your neighbours, swapping data with your neighbours. Being neighbourly in general. Prep all you want, but without getting your neighbours involved you are just a target. Fuck prepping for survival. Start designing for Thrival, in your community. If your community sucks. Find a new one.

The main problem with the Lipton and other sides is that the seasoning packet will cake up. They are perfectly fine other than that. Don't know how long they'll be good for but I've cooked up sides that were at least six months past the expiration date and they were fine.

Did you happen to catch my thread about burning myself with habanero peppers?

- MC

You could sign up and not post...just use it to send me a message if ya wanted to.

My small town had some homes flooded out by the recent tropical storm, Beta.

The city employees and volunteers called all of us to be sure we were OK. I had no problems except had to move my cows to a dry area.

Today, they city called asking for insect repellent. Those who were flooded out had mosquito problems.

I will donate some of my stock of repellent.

However, I also have a Black Flag Mosquito Fogger machine.

Offered to exterminate any yard for any affected by the flood.

That fog machine kills over 95% of the mosquitoes in an area in minutes; then, the fog dissipates.

Mosquitoes don't travel very far from where they are born, so the fogging usually knocks down their numbers for a couple of weeks.

Helping my neighbors is a SURVIVAL STRATEGY, a good way to build relationships and cooperation.

I am NOT in the philosophical camp of "lone wolf prepper". I will help my neighbors. Some of the food I bought is destined for donations.

Could someone please jot down a few items that would be pertinent to have from a preparation standpoint in the dead of Winter? I'm trying to figure out a practical situation, no heat inside the home without a fireplace and then also alternatively an option for bug out like a wool blanket or something.

Is the fogging machine very effective? What about effects on on other animals on the property (dogs, cats, chickens, etc)

Where I live we are surrounded by irrigated orchards and flooded rice fields in the summer. Lots of mosquitoes.

The County even flies an old Stearman biplane around at dusk, spraying (something) to control mosquitoes. All it does is drive them inside the house.

I will invest in such a fogging machine if it produces results and doesn't harm other creatures on the property.

I guess 'dead of winter' has various meanings depending where you live. This has been pointed out to me in this very thread, LOL.

Where I live, winter nights are commonly in the 30F range. Occasionally dipping into the teens.

We have a propane-fired forced air furnace, but haven't run it in 20+ years due to the cost of the propane required to run it. Over $350/month.

We don't have a fireplace, but do have a very old wood pellet stove that is our primary source of heat. During the coldest months, the wood pellets cost about $100/month. This stove will also run on a 12V battery, convenient for power outages.

Lots of blankets, quilts and things like sweats and pajamas help to stay warm. I am not a fan of shoes (I wear boots when running the chainsaw or weed whacker) and normally wear flip flops 90% of the time. In the winter, I do wear some warm slippers.

Core-warming foods like hot soups and stews really help to take the chill out of your soul. A crock pot full of potato and broccoli soup is something you can enjoy all day and smells wonderful.

We have multiple camp stoves and grills for backup cooking. Percolators for making coffee or tea. 'Trauma' kits in each vehicle which contain mylar survival blankets among other things. Also heavy 'moving blankets' in each vehicle.